Chapter 164 : Targeted

Chapter 164: Targeted

Blazing Fire Peak.

“Greetings, Senior Song.”

Ever since the Core Formation celebration banquet had ended, when they met again and saw that Song Tingfeng had already become a False Core Cultivator, Lin Chang’an was full of envy.

Never mind the vast difference between a False Core and a True Core.

If one could not even form a False Core, then everything else was meaningless.

A False Core True Lord’s strength might not compare to a True Core Cultivator, but it was far superior to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, not to mention that their lifespan started at five hundred years.

As long as fate was sufficient, it was not impossible to reform a core and cultivate anew.

There were countless treasures in the world of cultivation.

“Daoist Lin, you and I have been acquainted for many years. Why so distant? Between you and me, let us still address each other as Daoist.”

Under Song Tingfeng’s high-spirited smile, although it was somewhat regrettable that he had not formed a True Core, compared to failure, he had already profited greatly.

Seeing that Song Tingfeng’s expression was not feigned, Lin Chang’an still did not dare to be presumptuous. He respectfully cupped his hands and said:

“Brother Song, this is the profit from the marketplace during this period, as well as the one thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones I borrowed from Brother Song previously.”

With a wave of Lin Chang’an’s hand, two Storage Pouches floated up, sending over a portion of the black market’s earnings during this time.

He clearly distinguished between his own and the marketplace’s shares.

“This is!”

However, when Song Tingfeng saw the pouch of Spirit Stones being returned to him, he could not help but be startled, before looking at Lin Chang’an with a smile.

“Daoist Lin, you are being too polite.”

Inside that Spirit Stone Pouch were not one thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones, but more than three thousand.

It had tripled.

Lin Chang’an, however, only smiled and cupped his hands: “Brother Song, I said before that these Spirit Stones were not borrowed for nothing. If there was success, we would naturally share the profit.”

Song Tingfeng was overjoyed by Lin Chang’an’s attitude and laughed heartily, inviting him to drink and chat freely within the Daoist arena.

“Daoist Lin, you are still as cautious as ever. But I shall accept these Spirit Stones. In the future, between you and me, let us not be so distant again.”

Earning so many mid-grade Spirit Stones—he would be lying if he said he was not pleased.

Especially recalling the time when Lin Chang’an had come to him for a loan, Song Tingfeng could not help but nod in approval.

This Daoist Lin, although somewhat cautious, truly lacked great ambition, only wishing to cultivate diligently and steadfastly.

Otherwise, he would never have bet on Tianxuan City’s future.

Just this move alone had won their goodwill.

At that time, it had only been a jesting remark from him, and yet Lin Chang’an had truly returned the loan with both principal and interest.

The profits of the black market went without saying—Wu Yan, Su Miaoyin, and Song Tingfeng, all three had their share.

Even if they were absent, Lin Chang’an would still deliver it outside their cave abodes.

And Lin Chang’an was full of admiration—respecting those who achieved more. In their conversation, he found that this Daoist Song had not changed much.

He even voluntarily shared his experience of Core Formation. This made Lin Chang’an secretly grateful—for all these years, not a single Spirit Stone had been wasted.

This Core Formation experience was priceless.

For a drifting cultivator like him, there was no one who would explain such things.

“Brother Lin, I have seen that you are also a diligent cultivator all these years. Listen to one word of advice from me: if you can form a False Core, then do not covet a True Core.

I, Song, was resolute and not greedy, and only thus have today. What of a False Core? With my current strength and lifespan, I have enough to continue planning ahead. But if you were to fail…”

At this point, Song Tingfeng shook his head and sneered:

“The cultivation world has too many greedy cultivators. Failing to form a True Core, and when they then wish to form a False Core, they find they have already consumed most of their energy. In the end, they can only fail.

Once Core Formation fails, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s strength and lifespan make it near impossible to attempt again…”

Hearing Song Tingfeng’s earnest warning, Lin Chang’an was deeply grateful. This Daoist Song was truly a good man.

From the beginning of their acquaintance, he had always been a good man.

“Many thanks for your guidance, Senior Brother Song.”

“You must understand—whether it be treasures that improve one’s spiritual roots or those that enhance the quality of one’s Core, what ability does a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator have to obtain them?”

Song Tingfeng’s meaningful gaze was practically saying—what harm was there in becoming a False Core Cultivator?

Moving forward, he still had many opportunities to choose. But if Core Formation failed, there would be no second chance.

Lin Chang’an nodded silently, engraving all the Core Formation experience into his mind.

However, soon after, this Senior Brother Song’s old flaw emerged again. Unknowingly, in his excitement, he shifted the conversation back to formations.

Although now a False Core Cultivator, his cultivation in formations had remained at the Premium-grade First-rank level for many years, without any progress.

Over their years of acquaintance, Lin Chang’an understood well—this Senior Brother Song was truly obsessed with formations.

They said he had studied formations to pursue a Senior Sister, but looking at it now, perhaps it was to cover up his own lack of talent in formations.

Like a terrible chess player—weak as he was, it did nothing to dampen his love and persistence for formations.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an’s formation skills had already nearly reached the threshold of the Second-rank. The two could be considered evenly matched, evenly talented rivals.

At the same time, Lin Chang’an also obtained much hard-to-reach information. For example, this Senior Brother Song would be heading to the frontlines soon, while Wu Yan, the Senior Brother, would return to rest.

……

Tianxuan City, Western District Black Market.

There were quite a few cultivators in the black market, yet the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Qin Family were all frowning in worry.

“Patriarch, our marketplace lacks materials to attract high-level cultivators. Relying only on our Qin Family’s Second-rank Talismans is far from enough.”

The Qin Family was also known for talismans, but while they were easy to learn, they were hard to master. The Qin Family possessed inheritance, but now within the clan there was only one Second-rank Talisman Master.

Though not bad, for such a vast marketplace, it was nothing more than a drop in the bucket.

“Damn it! Why are those high-level Talisman Masters and Alchemists unwilling to come to our marketplace?”

Although outsiders called it the black market, among themselves they still referred to it as a marketplace.

At this time, Qin Feng, who had poured his heart and effort into establishing this black market, found it filled only with cultivators around the mid-stage of Qi Refinement.

Even late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators were rare. This was a stark contrast to when he visited the Eastern District Black Market, where there were numerous high-level cultivators and often three to five Foundation Establishment Cultivators making trades.

The difference between the two was vast.

Yet in terms of investment—his Qin Family had spent ten times more, one before the turmoil and one after the peace.

“Patriarch, more than half of our family’s enterprises have been staked on this marketplace. We have Second-rank formations and even ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators. What we lack now are high-level materials.”

The Qin Family’s two elders sighed helplessly. The Qin Family was indeed not bad and had high-level materials, but how long could that last?

Without reciprocity, it could not be sustained. If they only sold and never replenished, it would be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—gone forever.

“High-level materials!”

At this moment, bearing the rise and fall of the family on his shoulders, Qin Feng’s expression grew grave.

“Fellow Daoists, our Qin Family has already lost industries before. If this marketplace fails as well, our Qin Family will fall into decline. For the sake of our future—

Let us visit other high-level cultivators. If need be, we will entice them with heavy profits. First build up the marketplace, and everything else will follow.”

As the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Qin Family were discussing, the other six rogue cultivators gradually arrived.

Yet all of them wore expressions of gloom.

“Daoist Qin, the profits from this marketplace are not good.”

“Indeed, we have staked nearly all of our wealth.”

“Enough. Hasn’t Daoist Qin also staked nearly all of his wealth?”

“Exactly. When we first started this black market, we all discussed this together. Now that we face crisis, we are like grasshoppers on the same rope. Let us not complain. If not, better to dissolve early.”

“That’s right. What matters now is quickly reaching out to connections, searching for high-level materials, and only then can we build up this marketplace.”

To become Foundation Establishment Cultivators, none of them were fools. Complaints were complaints, but they knew they were bound together—if disaster struck, no one could escape.

“Fellow Daoists, for now, the best course is to widely invite some skilled cultivators—especially Second-rank Alchemists and Talisman Masters. Only then can we attract late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators.”

“Alas, in Tianxuan City, it is not easy to recruit cultivators with Second-rank skills.”

Anyone with Second-rank skills would have long used their abilities to establish networks. Few were left unclaimed.

If they wished to lure them over, it would require heavy profits.

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, as though recalling something, and spoke in a deep voice:

“Fellow Daoists, as far as I know, there are still some cultivators in Tianxuan City unwilling to reveal their identities, fearing bounties upon them. Most of these cultivators sell their materials in the black market.”

When Qin Feng mentioned this, the others all frowned.

“Daoist Qin, it is not that everyone is unaware, but that these cultivators are the most cautious. Once they grow accustomed to one place, they absolutely will not easily change locations.”

“Then heavy profits it is!”

Under Qin Feng’s resolute gaze, after the ten discussed for a while, it was clear—they had already invested more than half their fortunes.

If they simply sat by and watched the marketplace close down, most of them would be ruined.

Thus, with hardened hearts, they could only once again take out a portion of Spirit Stones and resources, joining forces to lure those cultivators over.

“That fellow surnamed Lin! And that one surnamed Hu! They merely relied on opportunistic dealings to first stabilize themselves. The Eastern District’s black market is the hottest.”

“Poaching people from another’s black market—won’t this offend them?”

“I think Daoist Qin is right. Since we opened a marketplace, we have long since offended others. What is there to fear now?”

“Soft-hearted, and you’ll be poor for half a lifetime. Wealth comes to the ruthless. If we do not do this, where else can we find these skulking cultivators?”

Even the Qin Family’s two elders, as well as the newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivators, fell into silent contemplation.

Their investment was growing larger and larger, but at this point, they could no longer stop.

If they stopped, most of the Qin Family’s assets would be gone, and even all their previous efforts would be wasted.

……

Inside the cave abode.

The Yellow Dragon Bell shone with powerful might, golden light flashing, forming a supremely strong defense.

Especially within the illusory golden bell body, a golden dragon seemed to coil and circle, greatly enhancing the Yellow Dragon Bell’s defense and even bestowing the ability to suppress and trap enemies.

On the other side, the Azure-scaled Sword radiated a green glow, its sharp sword-light transforming into a three-zhang-long azure python that opened its bloody maw and lunged forward.

“Yellow Dragon Bell, Azure-scaled Sword—truly worthy of being Top-grade Spirit Artifacts.”

As he slowly put away these two Top-grade Spirit Artifacts, Lin Chang’an could not help but reveal a satisfied smile.

“It is said that a Core Formation Cultivator’s Magical Artifact, after long-term nurturing, can give birth to an Artifact Spirit. There is another method—to refine the Essence Soul of a demon beast into the artifact, thereby producing an Artifact Spirit and enhancing its might.

These Top-grade Spirit Artifacts were crafted through such a method. Unfortunately, the Essence Souls of ordinary Second-rank Demon Beasts cannot endure the refinement.”

How difficult it was to obtain the Essence Soul of a Quasi–third-rank Demon Beast.

Even Tianxuan City, which had endured the beast tide calamity, had indeed seen many Quasi–third-rank Demon Beast resources appear in the market.

But not a single Essence Soul of a Quasi–third-rank Demon Beast had surfaced.

“Top-grade Spirit Artifacts can resist Magical Artifact might to some extent. Unfortunately, they are priceless and unmarketable.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head. Even if he wanted to buy such things, there was nowhere to purchase them.

He had hinted to this Senior Brother Song before, but even the False Core True Lord Song Senior Brother had only shown helplessness.

It was not a matter of how many Spirit Stones were offered—within Tianxuan City, there were only a handful of cultivators capable of such techniques.

At present, they were forging Magical Artifacts for him and Senior Sister Su, and would not be free for decades.

As for the few stored Top-grade Spirit Artifacts, those were reserved for recruitment or rewards for subordinates.

So upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an had dropped the matter.

“Still, with one for offense and one for defense, this is already quite good. Ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators may not even have a single Top-grade Spirit Artifact.”

Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. He had once thought of trying to obtain a flying-needle type Top-grade Spirit Artifact, but now it seemed impossible.

“It is better to focus on cultivation. My alchemy skills have improved nicely of late.”

【Second-rank Mid-grade Alchemist (Proficient 607/1000)】

Looking at his skills in the Alchemy Path, Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction.

“In another six or seven years, my Alchemist skills may break through to High-grade.”

【First-rank High-grade Formation Master (Grandmaster 4996/5000)】

“And as for formations, breaking through to Second-rank is within reach.”

Thinking this, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered. He immediately stored the pills he had refined into his Storage Pouch.

“With the Seven Kingdoms’ merchant guilds trading recently, Tianxuan City is more prosperous than ever. I should see if I can gather some rare formation materials.”

After all, advancing in formations would be of great help in exploring relic cave abodes in the future.

More importantly, he cultivated the Hundred Arts of Cultivation and understood priorities.

The relic cave abodes were still hanging in the air—they might not even fall into his hands.

Thus he would never let them affect his own cultivation—for in the end, strength was the foundation.

He then stored the Wind-chirp Bird and the Azure-horned Bull into his Spirit Beast Pouch and walked out of the cave abode.

Within the bustling Tianxuan City, he secretly disguised himself. Using the ability of the Bloodthirsty Poison Vine, he transformed into another persona—Alchemist Elder.

His aura was completely different. Even demon beasts would not be able to scent the disguise.

……

Eastern District Marketplace (Black Market).

“Late First-rank Demon Beast materials here. Interested Daoists, come take a look.”

“Second-rank Demon Beast’s damaged materials—absolutely worth the price.”

“Magical Artifacts, broken Magical Artifacts. Fellow Daoists, take them back and repair them yourselves…”

On the lively black market streets, cultivators manned stalls on both sides. Although they all concealed their faces, to Lin Chang’an, a cultivator with late-stage Foundation Establishment divine sense, their cultivations were plain to see.

Almost all of them were late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, and occasionally even Foundation Establishment beginners came to purchase materials.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an nodded secretly.

“These Foundation Establishment cultivators unwilling to reveal their identities—once they grow accustomed to a black market, they will not easily move elsewhere.”

This was the most important part of running a black market—to provide cultivators with a safe environment.

Over time, they became used to such safe trading channels. Who would risk changing locations so easily?

“You have fine spiritual herbs here—this should be unique to Jiang Country. How about I exchange this pill with you?”

“A pill to advance cultivation? Good, good! Daoist, I also have fine things here.”

A stall owner, upon inspecting the pill, suddenly changed expression. Though he suppressed his delight, he secretly began transmitting a voice message.

Pills that enhanced cultivation were hard currency.

They were highly sought after among cultivators.

Especially for late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators like him—high-grade (Second-rank) pills were pursued feverishly.

Even the slightest advancement in cultivation increased their hope of Foundation Establishment.

“Daoist, this is not quite enough.”

In the guise of Alchemist Elder, Lin Chang’an spoke calmly. Each month, aside from selling seventy to eighty percent of his pills directly to the black market organizers,

He would bring the rest to the black market to exchange for alchemy or other needed materials.

“Daoist, I still have these, and these… this should be enough.”

Satisfied, Lin Chang’an, disguised as Alchemist Elder, nodded and exchanged two pills that advanced cultivation before leaving.

Yet just as Lin Chang’an was secretly making purchases, his brow furrowed suddenly.

“Being followed!?”